This chapter is supplemental in character, The writer seems to assume
that the narrative of Kings (marginal reference) is known, and is
mainly anxious to add points which the author of that narrative has
omitted.... [ Continue Reading ]
IMAGES FOR BAALIM - Or, to serve as Baalim, i. e as representatives of
the different forms or characters of the chief Phoenician deity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the 2 Kings 16:3 note.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SACRIFICED ALSO ETC - Compare 2 Kings 16:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
The two battles here mentioned, one with Rezin (king of Syria), and
the other with Pekah (king of Israel) are additions to the narrative
of the writer of Kings (marginal reference “g”). The events of the
Syro-Israelite war were probably spread over several years.... [ Continue Reading ]
The fearful loss here described may have been due to a complete defeat
followed by panic.... [ Continue Reading ]
Maaseiah was either an officer called “the king’s son” (compare
1 Kings 22:26), or perhaps a son of Jotham, since Ahaz could hardly
have had a son old enough to take part in the battle (compare 2
Chronicles 28:1).
Elkanah, as “second to the king,” was probably the chief of the
royal counselors.... [ Continue Reading ]
Nothing more is known of this Oded. Compare 2 Chronicles 15:1.
HE WENT OUT BEFORE THE HOST - Rather, “He went out to meet the
host,” as the same phrase is translated in 2 Chronicles 15:2.
A RAGE THAT REACHETH UP TO HEAVEN - i. e. not merely an exceedingly
great and violent rage, but one that has d... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE THERE NOT WITH YOU ... SINS AGAINST THE LORD? - The ten tribes had
fallen away from the true faith far more completely and more
hopelessly than the two. It was not for them to press hard against
their erring brothers, and aggravate their punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
“Ephraim” is used herein the generic sense so common in the
prophets, as synonymous with the ten tribes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jericho, which lies much farther from Samaria than many points of the
territory of Judah, was perhaps selected because the captives had been
carried off principally from this point; or because there may have
been less danger of falling in with portions of Pekah’s army on this
than on the direct rout... [ Continue Reading ]
The Edomites took advantage of the reverses of Ahaz, and were perhaps
in league with Rezin (see 2 Kings 16:6 note). The pitilessness of
Edom, and her readiness to turn against Judah in any severe distress,
is noticed and sternly rebuked by the prophets (Amos 1:11; Ezekiel
35:5; Obadiah 1:10, etc.).... [ Continue Reading ]
Philistia also, eager to retaliate the blows she had received from
Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:6, seized her opportunity. Ajalon and Shocho
were among the cities fortified by Rehoboam 2 Chronicles 11:7, 2
Chronicles 11:10; Beth-shemesh Joshua 15:10 was famous as the scene of
Amaziah’s defeat 2 Chronicles... [ Continue Reading ]
AHAZ KING OF ISRAEL - An instance of the lax use of the word
“Israel” 2Ch 12:6; 2 Chronicles 21:2. It is simply equivalent to
“king of Judah.”
HE MADE JUDAH NAKED - literally, “he had caused licentiousness in
Judah” - i. e. he had allowed Judah to break loose from all
restraints of true religion, a... [ Continue Reading ]
TILGATH-PILNESER - This form of the name is doubly corrupt. See the
properly Hebraized form in 2 Kings 15:29.
DISTRESSED HIM, BUT STRENGTHENED HIM NOT - This statement, and that at
the end of 2 Chronicles 28:21, is supplemental to, and not
contradictory of, 2 Kings 16:9. Here it is the writer’s obj... [ Continue Reading ]
His adoption of the Syrian gods, Hadad, Rimmon, and others, as objects
of worship, no doubt preceded the destruction of Damascus by the
Assyrians 2 Kings 16:9.
ISRAEL - i. e. “Judah;” so in 2 Chronicles 28:27. Compare 2
Chronicles 28:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare 2 Kings 16:17 note. The temple-worship was suspended, the
lamps put out, and the doors shut, to prevent the priests from
entering. The Jews still celebrate a yearly fast in commemoration of
this time of affliction.
ALTARS - As the one altar for sacrifice, which alone the Law allowed,
symbol... [ Continue Reading ]